The European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the Donors and Foundations’ Networks in Europe (DAFNE) welcome the opinion in support of the European Foundation Statute, which was adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 28 April 2010.

The EESC, the EU’s official advisory body on social and economic matters, gave a clear and strong backing to the Statute by approving with a large majority of the votes the opinion drafted by EESC member Mall Hellam. The opinion urges the European Commission to present a proposal for a Regulation on a European Foundation Statute (EFS) to support public-benefit activities for its adoption by the Council and the European Parliament in due course.

Gerry Salole, EFC Chief Executive, praised the initiative noting that: “The EESC’s opinion strengthens the call repeatedly made by the EFC and DAFNE for the European Foundation Statute as the most cost-effective solution for addressing cross-border barriers and thereby stimulating foundation activities across Europe. The opinion should feed into the work of the European Commission, which we hope can conclude its internal impact assessment and subsequently table a proposal for a Regulation on the EFS. We also appeal to the Member States and the European Parliament to support this initiative. A recent survey of Members of the European Parliament conducted by GALLUP showed that no less than 73% of responding MEPs would support the EFS.”

Rosa Gallego, Chair of DAFNE, stated that: “We trust that the EU and Member State representatives will give due attention to EESC’s recommendations. We believe that an EFS will contribute to providing a favourable and secure European framework for foundations’ cross-border work for the next decades, in the current context of globalisation and the increased mobility of people and private assets across borders”.

Read the full joint statement here.

Visit the European Foundation Statute homepage.